Barbara Joan West Stiles

Barbara Joan West Stiles age 87 of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully in her sleep and went to be with her maker and savior on September 16, 2020 she was born on September 12, 1933 in Akron, OH to William Roy West and Gladys Ethal West. The family later moved from Akron to Oak Ridge, TN during WWII to support the war effort with her father Roy working at the former K25 plant while Gladys worked in accounting for several medical offices. Barbara was a popular and excellent student at Oak Ridge High School and participated in many school activities and clubs enjoying a wide circle of friends. Due to inheritance of a farm the family moved to Roane County, TN. This required Barbara to transfer high schools her senior year. While a significant disruption to her young life, this move proved to have a silver lining as her student popularity including cheerleading, and excellence in school continued she met the love of her life 'Charlie' Stiles of Harriman, TN. Upon completion of high school, Barbara pursued her associate degree in Business at what was then Draughons College, School of Business Knoxville, TN. Charlie had attended University of Tennessee, Knoxville in pre-dentistry and...[more]

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s now serving in the Marine Corps. Upon Barbara's college graduation, the high school sweethearts and best friends married on August 3, 1953 and began what would become a 67-year love story and marriage. They traveled on together with the promise of love and hope for the future to Beaufort, SC, Camp Lejeune, NC and Camp Pendleton, CA before Charlie shipped out for his combat tour during the Korean war. Upon his return they lived in Oceanside, CA and for the next year, Barbara greatly enjoyed the Southern California lifestyle of sunshine and surf before returning to Tennessee to start her family. She was the family's NorthStar always setting an example of dignity and grace and encouraging her children Rusty and Beth to pursue excellence while demonstrating kindness and love to family, friends, neighbors and those in need. Barbara was a stalwart member of each community she lived as she and Charlie began a new life outside of the Marine Corps and with the Southern Railway. She volunteered and served countless hours as a member each community church and most recently the Bookwalter United Methodist church in Knoxville teaching Sunday school and researching the Holy Bible and scriptures for adult bible studies, support and prayer groups. In her later years she and Charlie enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and especially to Hawaii and on one occasion to Ireland. She enjoyed cooking and eating holiday meals with her family, classical and gospel music, reading good books, and the love and laughter associated with all family and social events. She took special joy in being a devoted grandmother to her grandchildren Meagan and Taylor. Barbara's life was well lived and devoted to faith, family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister Shirley West Howe and her brother-in-law Jim Howe. She is survived by her husband Charles H. Stiles (Charlie), her son Charles W. 'Rusty' Stiles, CAPT, USN (RET), daughter-in-law Linda Diane Stiles of Chesapeake, VA, daughter Bethany Ann Stiles Stumpfig, son-in-law Jim Stumphfig of Young-Harris, GA, granddaughter Meagan McKinsey Stiles of Chesapeake, VA, grandson Taylor Christiansen Stiles of Knoxville, TN and her sister-in-law Eva Grace Stiles Ladd and brother-in-law Earl Ladd of Dallas, TX, her cousins Gary Neal Roberts, wife Mary Evelyn Roberts of Knoxville, TN and Bo Roberts of Nashville, TN and numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara's memorial service and burial will be conducted at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN, on September 22, 2020 @11:30 in the Chapel. All arrangements are being handled by Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel, 5301 Fountain Road, Knoxville, TN. Due to COVID 19 restrictions the service will be livestreamed and recorded by Gentry Griffey -Facebook. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to Mobile Meals, Knoxville a volunteer organization dedicated to providing meals to Knoxville's elderly. They may be contacted at MobileMealsVols@knoxseniors.org or call 865-524-2786. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Stiles family and invites you to view and sign the online registry.